Dressing

A lot of people avoid black in the summer. Scientifically speaking, it is true that black absorbs light, but whether that absorption turns into heat depends on the fabric and the cut of your clothes. Personally, I think of black as an ally in the summer because it hides perspiration better than any color. … Read moreBeating the Heat with Black Silk

In searching for white dresses for you, I found a new white dress for myself and therefore decided to do one last Woman in White post as summer winds down. For those of you who are leery of white dresses, I hear your concerns: sunscreen, coffee, tiny jam and ketchup handprints. This dress comes … Read moreThe Last Gasp of the Woman in White

As everyone scrambles for that last bit of summer fun, days of the week become a little arbitrary. Therefore, I feel that I am acting not unreasonably in presenting today the outfit I wore last Friday. My true motivation is to share something new while it’s still fresh and available. Come a little closer … Read moreIf It’s Monday, This Must Be Casual Friday

Washington D.C. is hot during the summer and the heat does things to people, if you know what I mean.[1] If you can imagine, some people become very crabby when they are being photographed outside in the heat . . . and therefore are well-advised to retreat indoors. Far better to lose … Read moreSummer Casual

When deciding whether to buy something new, I always think about utility: How often I am likely to wear this? Utility is often connected to versatility: a jacket that goes with more things, will be worn more. And a jacket that can be worn through more than one season is bound to get more … Read moreBoss Tweed (summer ed.)

Several weeks ago, I declared white dresses to be the essence of summer. No one expressly contradicted me (your silence, as always, was taken as tacit agreement), so here I am, back with another white dress. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Directrice, have you lost your mind? You can’t wear that strappy dress to work!” If … Read moreThe Return of the Woman in White

During the cold weather months, I rely heavily on black and charcoal grey pants, which I wear with a variety of jackets and sweaters. In the summer, black and charcoal can look heavy, so I switch to taupe. Taupe — a word that sounds so awful — is actually a beautiful, complex color: an … Read moreBlack, Taupe and Ivory

As an alternative to jeans, consider a denim dress. It’s certainly cooler, and more professional . . . . on the Casual Friday continuum. I don’t know about you, but I am very afraid of white shoes — and hadn’t worn a pair in decades, until I bought these sandals last summer. They are … Read moreCasual Friday: Denim Alternative

You may remember my enthusiasm for Marni? The volume, the pattern-mixing, the extraneous flaps? While this trick (belting to add definition) usually works best with fluid or light-weight fabric, I think this Marni jacket looks great belted, even though it’s made of a stiff cotton. Belting causes the jacket to bell out from the … Read moreFrankenstein’s Jacket

I’ve asked friends for topics that might be of interest to all of you and someone sent me a doozy last week: What should one wear to a swank cookout/pool party hosted by the boss for the whole office? What. The. Beans. First things first, let’s assign blame. Is it fair to say that … Read moreWhen Work Goes to the Pool